Foreign relations of Bhutan

Parliament Judiciary Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 56 of the 193 member states of the United Nations and the European Union.

The two states have agreed to develop hydropower in the Himalayas, as well as initiate free trade and transshipment through Bangladeshi ports.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, Bhutan has also maintained an Honorary Consul in Macau since 2000 and in Hong Kong since 2004.

On 8 February 2007, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty[12] was substantially revised under the Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

In the Treaty of 1949 Article 2 read as "The Government of India undertakes to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan.

The revised treaty also includes in it the preamble "Reaffirming their respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity", an element that was absent in the earlier version.

There also exists bi-lateral agreement between Bhutanese and Indian Government wherein citizens of both nations can travel freely in other country without passport or visa.

Bhutan and Israel established formal diplomatic relations in 2020, with the key areas of cooperation being economic, technological and agricultural development.

Filipina senator Loren Legarda, a United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, has been pushing for greater diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In September 2014, the Prime Minister of Bhutan visited the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila.

To a limited extent, Bhutanese law provides frameworks for cooperation with countries which Bhutan has no formal mission.

The Extradition Act requires nations to provide "all relevant evidence and information" about the accused, after which the Royal Government may in its discretion refer the matter to the High Court of Bhutan.

The Court may then issue a summons or warrant, conduct an inquiry, and collect evidence, holding the accused for a maximum of 30 days.

[25] Bhutan will refuse requests for extradition if the Royal Government or its courts determine the person is accused of a political offense.